Recipients of 2010 Aboriginal Scholarships chosen

TransAlta has announced the recipients of its 2009/2010 Aboriginal Scholarships.

They are:

• Avi Scheibner, Métis Nation of Alberta: Avi is in the final year of her Bachelor of Arts, focusing on Native Studies and Psychology, at the University of Lethbridge.
• Larissa Yellowknee, Bigstone Cree First Nation: Larissa plans to study physical education at the University of Alberta.
• Mark Patenaude, Sucker Creek First Nation: Mark is currently finishing the last year of his Communications and Culture bachelor’s degree from the University of Calgary.
• Rochelle Johnson, Métis Nation of Alberta: Rochelle is pursuing her nursing studies through the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge.
• Shey Eagle Bear, Blood First Nation: Shey is completing his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Alberta.
• Usne Butt, Saddle Lake First Nations: Usne is currently in the second year of the University of Calgary’s Undergraduate Medical Education Program, and expects to receive his M.D. degree in 2011.
• A seventh student recently completed his Bachelor of Management from Concordia University College of Alberta and is now studying law at the University of Alberta’s law program.

TransAlta is committed to strengthening all the communities in which we operate and live. Through TransAlta’s Aboriginal Scholarship Program, we support Aboriginal students from across Alberta in advancing their post-secondary experiences.

Up to eight scholarships are awarded annually to Aboriginal students enrolled in two-year college programs or four-year undergraduate programs at recognized Alberta colleges and universities.

TransAlta also supports Aboriginal students across Canada through other scholarships and awards. We annually fund up to 10 separate scholarships to Paul First Nation students – located near our Alberta coal facilities, west of Edmonton.

We also support an annual scholarship at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.